On 20 October we officially closed the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of Brother Gabriel’s mission. About 50 people, Brothers and lay people, made the same pilgrimage as Gabriel: from Belleydoux to Sain-Claude with the important moment of the taking of the habit in Les Bouchoux. The reading of historical texts of Gabriel’s life enlightened our reflection and moments of prayer. The Eucharist in the cathedral of Saint-Claude was the last and central moment of the pilgrimage. Mgr Jean Luc Garin, Bishop of the Diocese presided and Mgr Pascal Roland concelebrated. Mgr Pascal accompanied us throughout the pilgrimage. Jean Luc in his homily, after a biographical sketch of Brother Gabriel, underlined 4 ideas about our Founder: his passion for the mission, the importance he gave to education, his perseverance in his vocation in spite of the difficulties and his firm will to be a Brother. A fraternal meal closed the events at Saint-Claude. To conclude the day and his life’s journey, we ended with a moment of prayer at the tomb of Brother Gabriel in St Anne’s Chapel in Belley Cathedral. The whole Institute and the entire Sa-Fa Family was present in our minds and hearts during the day and in prayer.
